Popped corn dispensing apparatus



Aug. 26, 1952 Filed May 1, 1951 s. PINANSKI 2,608,0(24

POPPED CORN DISPENSING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 plglll ll j .27 Ja "Z 10 W fizflerziar Jana/wet Panama/Z0 g- 26, 1952 s. PINANSKI 2,608,004..

POPPED CORN DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 yw gg Aug. 26, 1952 5, PlNANSK! 2,608,004

POPPED CORN DISPENSING "APPARATUS" Filed May 1, 1951 :s sheets-sheet s IHIIIIV .T :3,:F w}? J i W i J rauemlor jve Finally/50' $2 a Patented Aug. 26, 1952 POPPED CORN DISPENSING APPARATUS Samuel Pinanski, Brookline, Mass., assign'or to American Theatre Supply Corporation, Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 1,1951, Serial No. 223,979

4 Claims. (01434-199) I This invention relates to dispensing apparatus andmore particularly to dispensing apparatus of the'type disclosed in Patent No. 2,423,342 for dispensing popped corn which, to be palatable,

must be delivered to purchasers in a hot and.

crisp condition.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing apparatus of the character described for maintaining the initial crispness of the total supply of comestible material within the apparatus and particularly at the immediate dispensing area where it is freely accessible for removal in successive small amounts when the apparatus is in use. A further object is to provide an improved dispensing apparatus having the above characteristics which will preserve the initial crispness of the supply to an extent heretofore unattained in the art while at the same time producing this improved result more economically and efiici- 'ently. Further objects are to provide an improved dispensing apparatus having the above characteristics but of simple and inexpensive construction, of a portable character and pleasing appearance, which is of rugged and durable construction, sanitary and easily cleaned and from which the contents may easily be dispensed, and which automatically maintains the proper temperature conditions and air velocity for insuring the desired results. A further object is to provide an improved dispensing apparatus having the above characteristics which, when not in use, may be tightly closed to prevent the entry of dust or moisture.

Other "and further objects and'advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description and by reference to 'the baccompanying drawings in which Fig.1 is a front elevation of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2' is'a planview of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with certain parts broken away and shown in section and with the dispensing drawer in open position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionto a larger scale, on the line 33 of Fig. 2, indicating in brokenlines the dispensing drawerin closed position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line L-40f Fig. 3 to a smaller scale; and

Fig. 51s a fragmentary vertical'section to a larger scale, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 designates in general a portable'display and'dispensing cabinet which can be placed upon' any suitable support such as atable top, bench or 2 counter and which, in a preferred construction, consists to a major extent at least of sheet metal and glass. The'cabinet has a base portion comprising the bottom member 2 (Figs. '3 and 4) of sheet metal, the end walls 3 and 4 (Figs. 1 and l 4) which in a preferred construction are of substantially semi-cylindrical shape in ,planand the rear wall 5 (Fig. 3) which is substantially straight.

The forward edges of the. end Walls 3 and 4 are spaced. apart to provide for the reception between them of a dispensing drawer .as hereinafter described. The .lower edges of the walls '3, 4 and 5 are secured to the bottom wall 2 in any desired manner, for example by using rolled joints commonly employed in sheet metal work,

or they may be otherwise or additionally united,

for example by solder or welding.

The upper portions of the walls 3 and 4 are stifiened and held rigidly in'proper shape by means of angle bars 6 and I (Fig. 4) whose vertical flanges are bent to'substantially the same semi-cylindrical curvature as the walls 3 and '4. The vertical flanges of the bars 6 and 1 are secured to the walls 3 and 4 by spot welding, for example.

The horizontal flanges 8 and 9 of the bars 6 and 1 are directed inwardly, and form supports for the lower edges of the vertically elongate semi-cylindrical transparent panels [0 and H (Fig. 4) and a vertically elongate flat panel l5 (Fig. 3). The panels [0, ll andl5 may be made of glass or other-transparent material such'as one of the syntheticresins, and. they form the end walls and rear walls respectively of the:

thefront'fa'ces of the panels [5 and I0 'respec tively on opposite sides of the strip l3, the base of the member [4 being spaced from the front panel IS in the same manner as above'described for the panel It.

The upper edges of the panels l and l l are disposed within downwardly open channel members 8 and I9 (Fig. 4) suitably curved to conform to the panels I!) and II, and these channel members l8 and 9 support top plates 20 and 2| (Fig. 4) respectively, of sheet material which form top closures for the semi-cylindrical spaces within the panels l0 and H. These plates 20 and 2| are secured air-tight to the channel members l8 and I9, for example by soldering brazing, or by appropriate rolled joints.

A rear top member 22 has a flange 23 which overlaps the upper edge of the back member l and which is secured to the latter by solder, welding or the like, the top member 22 extendingffrom the inner edge of the plate to the inner edge 1 of the plate 2| and being united to the latter by welding or soldering, and extending forwardly a' distance preferably substantially half the frontl0 and II are housed in vertical channel mem-' bers ,28 and 29 which form the sides of an opening for the reception of a front door having a frame 30 which is hinged at 3| to the right-hand member 28. The door preferably has a latch 33 at its left-hand side engageable by a suitable retainer on the left-handmember 29. The upper portion .of this door framev constitutes a support'for the forward edgeof the cover 25. Preferably the door has a transparent panel 34 of glass or other suitable material. N

The bottom member 2 of the base of the cabinet supports a layer..35 (Fig. 3) of insulating material and the side walls and back of the base are preferably insulated.

7 Between the forward vertical edges of the end walls 3 and 4 of the base portion is a; relatively low front wall 33secured to the bottom-wall 2 and insulated as walls 3, 4 and 5. Inwardly of said front wall are spaced 'pairs of U-shaped supports 31 and 38 (Figs. 3 and 4) having their lower legs fixed to the bottom wall 2. Parallel, elongate runners or tracks 39 and 40, Z-shaped in cross section, have the lower leg of the 2 fast.

to the upper leg of the U-shaped supports respectively and the upper leg of the 2 extends,

laterally outwardly from the *U-shaped support and forms a supportspaced from the bottom wall 2 at the same 'heightas the upper'edge of the front wall 36 for the bottom 4| of a dispensing drawer (Figs.3 and 4). I r r 1 The drawer has a front wall '42 which extends above the base preferably substantially to the lower edge of the front door and laterally beyondthe vertical inner edges of the end walls.3 and 4 to overlap, the same and downwardly below the upper edge of the front wall 36. The drawer also comprises side walls 44 and 45 (Figs. 2 and 3,) and a relatively low rear wall 43. The lower edges of the side walls extend below the bottom 4| and thence inwardly to form flanges 44a and 45a (Fig; 4) which :slidably engage the lower facesof theupper leg of the Z-shaped'runners 39 and 4!).- drawer are at all times in sliding engagement with adjacent inner vertical edgesfof the end- The side walls and bottom of the 4 walls 3 and 4 and the upper edge of the front wall 36 respectively.

An upwardly turned flange 46 (Fig. 3) connects the bottom 4| of the drawer and the front wall 42 and a handle 41 is secured to the outer face of the front wall to facilitate the sliding movement of the drawer outwardly to the dispensing position shown in-full linesin Fig. Band inwardly to the closed position shown in dot *and dash lines in Fig. 3.

To provide a stop for limiting the outward movement of the drawer, spaced brackets 48 and 49 (Fig. 4) are fixed to the rear face of the rear wall 43 of thedrawer for slidably accommodating L-shaped fingers 5|] and 5| which extend downwardly below the bottom of the drawer inwardly of the Z-shaped runners 39 and 40. Lugs 52 and 53 are secured intermediate the ends of the Z- shaped runners to the upper faces of the lower leg of the Z-shaped runners and project inwardly under the bottom of the drawer. Thus, as the drawer is pulled outwardly, .the lower p rtions of.

the fingers '50 and 5| engage the lugs 52'and 53 to1imit"further outward movement thereof,

The drawer is also provided with a forwardly. and downwardly inclined perforate flalsebottom 54 supported above the bottom .4l of theldrawer preferably throughout the. length of the drawer by suitable means here shown as pairs of trans! versely spaced front and rear legs 55 and 56 there-.

by, togetherwith the side walls and bottom of the drawer, to form a forwardly tapered cham-. The rear edge of the false bot-.

ber 511(Fig. 3). tom is spaced substantially higher than the upper edgeof the rear wall 43 thereby to form an inner open end to the chamber 51 to permit free passage of air into said chamber from the space behind the rearof the. drawer. portion of the bottom 4| of the drawer which remains within the cabinet when the dispensing drawer is in operative position may be provided with transverse perforations.

The angle bars 6 and I (Fig. 4) support perforated plates 58 and 59 (Figs. 1 and 4) which form the floors of the spaces within the end panels l0 and H, and also support a perforated plate 60 forming the floor of the main portion ofthe storage chamber. The perforated portion of plate 69 terminates at a line 6| (Fig. 3) spacedv ber being further defined by the false bottom 54,.

side walls 44 and and front wall 42. The dispensing chamber D of therrdraweralways freely communicates with the storage chamber above the floor 69 by means of the aperture .64 at the forward edge of the plate 60. Through this aperture the material in the storage chamber flows by gravity into the dispensing chamber D of the drawer. f

To the members 28 and 29, below the front door, there are secured a pair of hinged wings 66 which, when the drawer is pulled forwardly into operative position; may be swungiinto the position shown in Fig. 3 solas to form:upward extensions bf'the side: walls 44 and 45vof1the drawer, thus providing an open-topped dispens ing chamber having-an effective depth at its forward portion of substantially theheight of the If desired, that a-ooeooa forward wall '42 .of thedrawer. One wingfifi and its hinge. 61 are shown in Fig. 3. in order to side walls 3, 16 and 11, bottom wall-2 and a. re-

movable cover 18 which rests on the top edges .of the side walls 16, 11 and the horizontalflangelof an angle .bar 19 fast to the side wall 3'. from outside the cabinetis drawn-into the box 151by-asuitable motor driven blower 8!) mountedin said box, the air passing through an aperture 81 provided in the side wall 3 and through an outer screen 82, filter 83. and inner screen 84. 'I'hefilter and inner screen are removably held within the aperture by suitable means here shown as a vertical Z-shaped strip65 and an angle stripg85 fast to the inner faces of side walls 3 and 1-1 respec tively. In replacing the filter the cover-18 of the box is removed and the filter is slid upwardly out of the-upperopen endsof the strips-65am} 85.

'Rearwardly of theair box is a heater casing 85 connected tov the blower 80 through an aperture in the side wall 11 and which receives-air at superatmospheric pressure from. the blower. Electricv current is supplied through conduit-81 (Fig. 2) connected to any suitable source of power, the. conduit entering a distributing and fuse box 88 mounted on the heatercasingjBfi by suitable means as bolts and fromv which cables 89.

and. 90 leadto the blower motor 9| and to aheat ing coil 92 of any suitable type arranged within the casing 86.

An air conduit 93 extends rearwardly from the heater casing 86 and terminates with its delivery mouth 94 directed toward. thespacebetween the bottom wall2 and perforate plate 60. At the .de-.

livery mouth of the air conduit athermostat 95 is mounted'on the air conduit and it has its temperature responsive element 96 extending directly into the conduit where it is exposed to the airflowing therethrough. A cable 91 connects the. thermostat through the distributing boxand cable 90 with the heating coil 92 whereby the thermostat controls the flow of current toisaid heating coil.

Preferably, in the upper portion of the cabinet (Fig. 3) there is arranged a support '98fora lamp:

99 having a reflector I00, the lamp being supplied with current by means of a suitable cable IIJI running from the distributing box (Fig. 2)

Preferably, the thermostat 95 is set to provide a substantially constant temperature depending upon the material to be dispensed, but for use in;

pensing'drawer and the above described appa ratus in the semi-cylindrical space within the delivered through the wall .3 constituting a main plenum chamber 1? from which the air flows up through the perforations'inplates 58, .59 and 60 and up through flues lfiand'is distributed through the contents of the storage chamber. Simultaneously the airflows at superatmospheric pressure from; the main 'plenum chamber directly through theinner end ofsthe dispensing. drawer into the chamber 51 beneath the dispensing chamber D, the chamber 51 constituting an auxiliary plenum chamber from which the air. flows up through the perforations in the false bottom 54 into the dispensing chamber D and is distributed throughout the contents thereof and thence through the open top of the dispensing drawer. With the thermostat responsive to the air in the air conduit as illustrated and set for 140 F. thetemperature in the cabinet and the dispensing chamber is maintained in the range of from about F. to F. In use, the material to be dispensed is delivered into thecabinet through the top door 25 which, when open, provides an opening through which the material, for example popped corn, maybe emptied. This material piles up on the perforatedfloor plates 58, 59 andiifi and in the freelyvisiblegs'torage space within the panels I 0 and I l When the material is to be dispensed, the drawer is pulled forwardly to the open position shown in Fig. 3 and the side members 66 are'swungfloutwardlyso as to provide sides for the upper side portionsof the drawer.

' The material from the cabinet flows down of the dispensing chamber from whence it may be. scooped upby the operator for delivery to purchasers. Throughout-the operation of the appa ratus warmed air is delivered by the blower 80 and the heater 92 into the main plenum chamber P thence upwardly through the perforate floor plates58, 59 and 60 and through the flue [6 into thestorage chamber and through the piled up.

contents thereby exposing the contents to a, COD-'1 stant gentle flow of heated air. The heated air escapes by flowing downwardly through the contents-of-the storage chamber through the wer ture into the dispensing chamber and thence tion of the-contents of the dispensing chamber to .the atmosphere through the .open top of the,

drawer. Simultaneously warmed air at superatmospheric pressure is delivered from the main plenum chamber P forwardly directly into. the auxiliary plenum chamber even-to its extreme forward end, being assisted inthis respect bythe forward tapered shape of the chamber, thence.

flowing upwardly through the perforate falseybottom 54 and into the .dispensing chamber and thence upwardly through the entire contents er, the contents of, the cabinet and dispensing chamber are protected from atmospheric moisture and it is found that the initial freshnessand. crispness of the material may be maintained for.

long periods, even for several weeks.

'wh-ile ordinarily the heating ofthe air is templatecl that if desired the air from the blower, either. before or after passing through the heater,

2 maybe caused to flow through v moisture remov Hot air thus passes: through every portion of the material in the dis-1. pensing-chamber and maintains it hot and crisp,;,

. and since no air can getat the contents of the:

cabinet or dispensing chamber except the hot and dry air delivered by the heating device and blowe am; cient to dry it enough for the purpose, it is 'con-.

ing means of any suitable and customary type, thereby to remove 'moisturefromthe' air'before itis'admitted to the dispensin cabinet. How ever, asalready noted, satisfactory results may be obtained under most tmospheric conditions by merely heating the air before admitting it to the storag'eportions of the cabinet; i

The transparent front'door, in addition to the transparent end panels 'I and I I, provide a clear view of the interior of the cabinet so that its contents are readily visible to the passerby. The odor of the material, for example popped corn, is forced outwardly by the air which escapes through the top of the dispensing drawer and this is an inducement to purchasers.

If it"be desired to stop the dispensing operation temporarily, the members 6-6 may be folded'back and the drawer closed, thus bringing the forward wall 42 of the drawer into such a position ascompletely to close the spacebeneath the front door and thus to exclude air from the interior of the cabinet.

While one desirable embodiment of the inven tion hasbeen illustrated by way of example' it' is to be understood that the invention is not nec essarily limited to this precise embodiment, but isinclusive of any and all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims; a

I claim: 7

1. A preserving and dispensing cabinet comprising a storage chamber having a perforate floor, a main plenum chamber beneath said floor, and an open-topped dispensing drawer slidable in and. out of the cabinet beneath the floor of the storage chamber, said floor being provided with a freely open aperture whereby material flows by gravity from the storage chamber to the dispensing drawer, said dispensing drawer nor mally being withdrawn from the cabinetto'permit ready access to the contents and to permit escape of air therethrough, and means operative to supply heated air at superatmospheric pressure to the main plenum chamber, the dispensing drawer having a false bottom above the bottom of the drawer, the false bottom having transverse perforations at the forward portion at least, the side walls, bottom and false bottom of the drawer forming an auxiliary plenum chamber with its inner open end in communication with said main plenum chamber, whereby a constant flow'of heated air is maintained from the main plenum chamber into the auxiliary plenum chamber thence upwardly'into the part of the dispensing drawer above the perforate bottom and theme through the contents of the drawer to theatmosphere.

2.'A preserving and dispensing cabinet comprising a storage chamber having a perforate floor, a main plenum chamber beneath said floor, andfan open-topped dispensing drawer slidable in andout of the cabinet beneath the floor of the storage chamber, said floor being provided. with a freely open aperture whereby materialflows by gravity from the storage chamber to the dispensing drawer, said' dispensin drawer normally being withdrawn from the cabinet to permit ready access to the contents and to permit escape of air therethrough, and means operative to supply heated air at superatmospheric pressure to the main plenum chamber, the dispensing drawer having a forwardly'and downwardly inclined false bottom above the bottom of the drawer, the false bottom having transverse perforations at the forward portion. at least, the side walls, bottom and false bottom of the drawer forming'a forwardly tapered auxiliary plenum chamber with its inner open end in communication'with said'main plenum chamber, whereby a constant flow of heated air is maintained from the main plenum chamber into the auxiliary plenum chamber, thence upwardly into the part of the dispensing drawer above the perforate'bot tom, and thence through the contents of the drawer to theatmosphere. I

3. A preserving and dispensing cabinet com prising a storage chamber having substantially imperforate back, side andtop walls and a perforate floor wherebythe part of said storage chamber which is located above said floor is substantially airtight, a main plenum chamber beneath said floor, an open-topped dispensing drawer slidable in and out of the cabinet be neath the floor of the storage chamber, said floor being provided with a freely openaperture where by material flows by gravityfrom the storage chamber to the dispensing drawer, said dispensing drawer normally being withdrawn from the cabinet to permit ready access to the contents and to permit escape of air therethrough, and mean 's 'operative to supply'heated air at super atmospheric-pressure to the main plenum chamber, whereby a constant flow of heated air is maintained from the main plenum chamber up wardly to the storage chamber through the perforate floor thence downwardly from the storage chamber'through'said aperture and into said dis-.- pensing drawer; thence outwardly and upwardly through the contents of the drawer to the atmosphere, the dispensing drawer having a false bottom above the bottom of the drawer, the false bottom having transverse perforations at thefor ward portions at'least, the side walls, bottom and false bottom of the drawer forming an auxiliary plenum chamber with its inner open end in communication with said 'main plenum chamber, whereby a second constant flow of heated air is, maintained from the main plenum chamberinto said auxiliary plenum chamber, thence upwardly into the part of the dispensing drawer located. above theperforate bottom, and thencethrough the contents of the drawer to the'atmospher'eyil i. A preserving and dispensing cabinet, com

prising] a storage chamber having substantially imperforate back, side and to walls and :a'peI-r' forate floor whereby the part of said storage chamber which is located above saidfloor is sub:

ing drawer normally being withdrawn from the cabinet to permit ready access to the contents and to permit escape of air therethrough, .and means operative to supply heated air at superatmospheric pressure to the mainplen'u'm. cham ber, whereby a constant; flow of heated ,airi s maintained from the main plenum chamber upwardly to the storage chamber through the per;

forate floor thence downwardly from the storage chamber through said aperture and into said dispensing drawer, thence outwardlyand upwardly through the contents of the drawer to the atmos-.

9 the drawer forming a forwardly tapered auxiliary REFERENCES CITED H plenum chamber w1th 1ts inner open end m The following references are of record in the mumcation wlth said mam plenum chamber, file of this patent: whereby a second constant flow of heated air is maintained from the main plenum chamber into 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS said auxiliary plenum chamber, thence upwardly into the part of the dispensing drawer above the gg g g fg perforate bottom through its perforations, and 1 488057 Pilz 1924 thence through the contents of the drawer to the 2423342 i 19-47 atmsphere- 2,441,250 Pinanski May 11, 1948 1 SAMUEL PINANSKI. 

